Not a big futbol follower? Me neither. This however has the capacity to change that (as most compelling human interest stories do.) To wit, Oguchi Onyewu a defenseman for AC Milan. His team played without him for an entire season after he suffered a torn patellar tendon. (Not unusual.) Is now ready to join his team in time for the World Cup. (Yeah, fortuitous timing.) And is willing to forego an entire year’s salary to play an extra year for Milan.
(Wait, what?)
Yup, Onyewu and his lawyer asked for and got a one-year contract extension sans paycheck. How notable is this in a world where athletes are constantly trying to out salary each other? Out endorse each other? Out cross promote each other? Not to digress entirely (as I digress entirely) but the NFL draft is one example of the reprehensible money-grubbingness of today’s athlete. The obscene amount of cash increases millions every year for these kids who have never played a down of professional football. Or how about the athletes that oftentimes unjustifiably hold out from camps, practices and the like to boycott their salary? And let us not forget the player that expects more money coming off an injury-shortened year. These the most egregious of offenders. Players always ask for more money and never offer to give any back. Did a quarterback throw a million interceptions (I’m looking at you, Jake Delhomme) and offer to pay part of his contract back? Did a certain most-paid defensive lineman need oxygen and get carted off the field without any disincentive not to? (That’s you, Albert.) Did Julius Peppers compensate the Panthers monetarily when he had no sacks? (Sorry for all the Carolina references.) You could increase the list ad infinitum and nauseum. Which is why “Gooch” should be celebrated and have billboards erected in his honor.
Instead he’ll be a blip on the radar for bloggers and sportsy radio hosts. (Guilty.) But this magnanimous gesture should not be a footnote. I hope that in the future he can be used as a benchmark or reference point for awesomeness and selflessness. Or at the very least he’ll be a “oh, remember when that guy played for free?”
Fascinating article. I’ve oft thought that players who miss a season due to injury should have their contracts somehow extended to account for the fact that they weren’t able to participate. They should be compensated for doing so, and and I don’t know how all that should work, but I like the principle of it.
I do agree that this futboller provides a quality example of how athletes should consider conducting themselves. Not that I expect one Haynesworth would do anything of the sort.
This guy’s crazy. He’s a good example, sure, but if he’s playing this year and somebody takes out his knee and he never plays again, he missed out on more salary than I’ll probably make in the next 10 years.
I do believe there is a sense of entitlement in most of today’s athletes, which is cause for dismay and concern re: The Hanley Ramierez incident. However, I think entire system is a bigger problem. For example the NFL Draft – yes, its INSANE to pay these guys that much having taken no professional snaps. Just look at the Raiders and the J. Russell issue. However, there is no rookie wage scale in the NFL, and on the flipside, injuries = cut. If that guy goes out in training camp and blows out his knee he may never reach full potential or a career could be over before it began. I can’t blame them for making as much as they can, when they can make it when there is no safety net for them. Give back a million for an interception? Maybe, if you have to honor my full contract and not cut me for cap or injury reasons.
This just goes to show just how different Europe is than the United States.
You realize he’s an American, Right? He’s one of our top defenders.
I LOVE this story, and thanks for bring it up. I consider myself a pretty damn avid sports fan, and I hadn’t heard this story until I came onto GuysNation.